Fat makes food tastier. It is essential for cellular function, muscle movement, digestion, and to assimilate many fat soluble nutrients. There are good and bad fats. Regular consumption of good fat is important in a healthy diet. Good fat is polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fat. It comes from whole grain, beans, legumes, vegetables, nuts, and seeds. Good fat is unsaturated fat. It helps create, maintain, and protect good health. Trans fats from animal food and saturated fats are bad fats. Trans fat, hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated, is bad fat. Bad fats are a very significant factor in the poor health of the average American.
Sesame – Highest Sterols of Nuts & Seeds
Sesame seeds, like the organic ones used for EDEN Tahini and EDEN Black Sesame Butter, are a high-quality source of fat and many essential nutrients. The Father of Medicine, Hippocrates, declared, “Sesame is a food that can improve mankind’s energy and vitality.”
Research shows sesame is a concentrated source of important nutrients including essential fatty acids (EFAs), calcium, iron, and very high-quality protein that contains the amino acids methionine, lysine, and tryptophan, which are rare in vegetal proteins.
Seeds and nuts are rich sources of phytosterols, biochemicals with a structure similar to cholesterol. When present in ample amounts, they are believed to reduce bad cholesterol, enhance immunity, and support cardiovascular health. A study from the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry evaluated 27 different nuts and seeds for phytosterol levels. Sesame seed was found to have the highest concentration, followed by pistachios and sunflower seeds. Sesame’s lignans, sesamin, sesamol, and sesamolin act as preservatives and provide antioxidant benefits. The expression “Open Sesame” declares entrance to splendor and abundance – a term stemming from the varied and effective ancient uses of sesame.
Valued Staple
Sesame Sesamum indicum originated in the East Indies and Central Africa. It is the oldest herbaceous plant cultivated for its seed. Used and traded far into prehistory, sesame has been a significant food in the Mediterranean, Middle East, India, China, Korea, and Japan.
Sesame oil has a storied history as a cosmetic, particularly in traditional Ayurvedic practice. In Hindu mythology, sesame represents immortality. Ancient Egyptians used its oil for beauty and purification, and milled the seed for use in bread. Ancient texts tell of tahini sauce being served to nobility. It was considered a food worthy of the gods. Sesame seed with cumin was a popular condiment with ancient Romans. Greek, Roman, and Turkish soldiers carried the seed as rations. In Japan and Korea sesame is associate with longevity. The Chinese believe black sesame has antiaging properties and improves digestion. Sesame is grown throughout the world in warm climates. Japan is the largest importer of sesame in the world, and has been for a long time.
Good Fats for Beauty and Health
EDEN Tahini is organic tan sesame seed, lightly roasted, hulled, and milled into paste. Toasting sesame enriches its flavor.
Tahini is a Mediterranean staple and referred to as the “Butter of the Middle East.” Armenian Turks, known for longevity and stamina, are said to have created tahini. It is a key ingredient of hummus chickpea spread and countless traditional recipes of many cultures. Tahini adds richness, good protein, and fat to sauces, salad dressings, dips, desserts, pastries, smoothies, and casseroles. Tahini sauces are used on falafel (chickpea patties), vegetables, meat, fish, and noodles. Miso/tahini spread has always been a macrobiotic staple on breads, crackers, sandwiches, grains, and vegetables. A popular sesame sauce is made with tahini, garlic, fresh lemon juice, a touch of salt, water, and either fresh dill, mint, parsley, or thyme.
EDEN Black Sesame Butter is organic, roasted, ground, whole black sesame seed. In Japan, black sesame is treasured for health benefits and its wonderful flavor. Eastern cultures use black sesame in desserts and baked goods. Black sesame soup with sticky rice added (sweet rice used for mochi) is a popular dessert in China, Taiwan, Singapore, and Vietnam. Use it in making soups, stews, sauces, desserts, pastries, and almost any baked good.
Seed used to make organic EDEN Tahini and EDEN Black Sesame Butter is the same tan and black seed used to make a variety of EDEN Gomasio (sesame salt). Tahini and Black Sesame Butter complement any whole grain, bread, toast, crackers, muffins, scones, and rice cakes. Drizzle tahini or sesame butter on hot or cold cereals. Add them into smoothies for richness and enhanced efficacy. They provide very high-quality protein with an exceptional amino acid profile, complex carbs, and beneficial fats.
Visit edenfoods.com/recipes for many free recipes containing EDEN Tahini and Black Sesame Butter. Glass jar packed. Gluten Free and Non-GMO.
